Pages

Friday, 17 August 2012

Well, not quite, but there will be a war movie theme to our quiz which sort-of relates to one of the films we're showing! There will also be a few filmmaker Q&As and perhaps our most eclectic line-up of short films to date...

Stand and Deliver

Gus Alvarez directs this beautifully
shot and wonderfully atmospheric story of a woman who wakes up alone in a
forest and tries to piece together how she got there.

All Heart trailer

Tim Pieraccini returns to MovieBar with the trailer for his self-produced feature All Heart.

Tim will be coming along to talk about the film.

Incoherent

An overzealous teen helps his reclusive mute neighbour break out of his shell in Nathan Cook's perfectly understated comedy-drama.

Nathan will be coming along to talk about the film.

Zobeide

A staggering, impressive and occasionally violent animation from Julian Krispel-Samsel which effectively mixes vibrant colour with moments of surreal
mystery and darkness.

Julian will be coming along to talk about the film.

Marble Hornets

The first six episodes of Troy Wagner's chilling
found-footage web series introduce a terrifying contemporary mythos and
open up a mystery that becomes more complex with each new entry.

127 Seconds and Extreme Golf

In these fast-paced and funny shorts actor/director David August parodies a recent Oscar-winner in 127 seconds and sends up extreme sports with producer Tanner L. Richards in Extreme Golf.

House Trafalgar

Director Mark Tew and writer Simon Messingham prove it is possible to do Hollywood spectacle without a budget in this genuinely epic war film in which a courageous group of survivors fight for their lives in an unlikely setting. Look out for blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos from the MovieBar team!

Mark and Simon will be coming along to talk about the film.

MovieBar - A monthly film screening and networking
night for filmmakers and film lovers.

Monday, 13 August 2012

Jonathan Chance, Nic Sanchez and Ronnie Mackintosh provided films for our August MovieBar but unfortunately coudln't make it along on the nigh.t However they agreed to answer some questions via email and the resutl I've posted below for your pleasure.

Enjoy!

Jonathan Chance - Timeslip - Q&A

1. What was the inspiration for the film?We wanted to make an entertaining short but also with our films underneath
there should be something to make you think. One may think today we are moving
further in the world with technology and in many ways we are - but in someways
as creatures of the earth we couldn't be further away. We wanted to touch on
today's approach to the decline that essentially put us on top of the food chain
- human survival. Basic skills replaced by the immediacy of consumerism. We
take things for granted too often. So here you have today's modern man - and
let's see how he copes in the land of men from yesteryear. All wrapped up in a
sci-fi / fantasy based around the time slip phenomena.

2. How did you cast the film (friends or Shooting People etc...)?When we write
shorts for us to produce we know what we can do ourselves and build a unique
story. On a grander scale involving a bigger production, budget people - we have
plenty in mind we'd love to get involved and pitch had the opportunity from an
investor etc arose.

3. Did you secure any funding or was it very low-budget?Very low budget. We all love to do many roles in
front and behind the camera. We want to make original film first and foremost -
with budget or without. To prove you can make a quality film with next to
nothing and spring people to imagine; what can they do with a indie budget or
more behind them - if they can produce this with nothing!

4. I occasionally write with my brother so wondered how you found working with your brother? And sibling rivalry?Haha!
Richard and I get on well. I'm sure it maybe similar with you guys. If we
quibble it's normally just creative differences. Only that type of thing. We
like the same things and films etc so that helps. We are very meticulous about
things, but it normally comes together nicely in the end!

5. How long did it take to complete? (writing/shooting/post-production?)Eventually
we were completed in April 2011 and we started in 2010. The shoot we filmed most
over a few weeks then i got to work on post and we finished up fillers and other
scenes when i was next over in England some months later. This was a bit
unorthodox for us. But being that i live in the U.S and Richard is based in
Essex, we work around to make it happen with the seasons. When I'm not over to
shoot we're both working on writing, ideas, other projects - always working
though! Right now between the distance we are working on The Last War where
anyone get get involved with our next film details I'll say at the end!

6. Have you screened the film elsewhere or are you planning to?It has played at about twelve festivals a lot in the U.S won an award
and showed with a screening with a feature film with people behind Frighten
Brighten. There will be more to follow in England and Europe and there's a
couple in the states playing this month. We always update screenings on our
website and IMDb so do check in those places to catch the film will play
next.

7. Anything you can tell us about your next projects?We have some things coming out first; a new version
and cut of our debut feature which will be titled The Veil : Unmasked Edition
with a different distribution, and a new treatment, will be available for
instant streaming - the version always intended to be seen. We don't endorse the
one that is out now - for many reasons. This new version will be better for
everyone, it's better quality and the filmmakers will benefit from it unlike
before. Check in at the website and like our facebook / twitterpages to support true independent film. It truly
helps to get the word out about our films. We appreciate that. Also for updates
when that will be available and eventually with a DVD later on in the
year!

The Last War is an interactive project we are
making and we need your help! We are looking for people to portray characters in
a sci-fi feature based around a great story by Richard. We have a wonderful
narrator, music, and making this interesting animated, film together where
peoples images will portray characters in the epic story. Also looking for a guy
that can do CGI characters, places too - So whether it be acting or modelling or
a creative arts - you can be part of the next Chance Encounters film! Stop by
there or get in contact with us at the Chance Encounters website.

Lastly,
on a grander scale Richard I both have scripts we'd love to get in front of the
right people to pitch things that we know can only be made with a budget, an
indie budget even. Anyone of course please get in contact with out website!

Thank you everyone for
showing up to watch our short and supporting independent film further. In a film
world of repetition and mediocrity thank you for supporting independent and
original film. For innovation not imitation! Thanks!

Nic Sanchez - It's Okay To Be Ginger - Q&A

1. What was the inspiration for the film?

My girlfriend is ginger. The film essentially wrote itself. I'm an American, and there's a children's show titled, "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood." If you know it, that should harken some idea of where the inspiration came from. Add in some late night binging of Christopher Guest's Best In Show and you have my reasoning.

2. How did you cast the film (friends or Shooting People etc...)?

Most of my casting was through a web site called StarNow. I essentially just contacted people who fit the description in the script and had an online portfolio to back them up. For Mr. Loddy, I scouted him in another short film called the "Quizmaster." I thought, "He's ginger, he's a good actor, he fits the bill." I contacted his agent and thankfully he was very happy to be a part of the project.

3. Did you secure any funding or was it very low-budget?

The film was made all out of my own pocket. I did get some extra funding from my girlfriend, so I have to give huge props to her for helping out with studio costs. Most of the set locations and props, and all of the crew and cast were all done as favours to the film. I am quite fortunate with my luck in making the film. From using the Prince Charles Cinema to having actors willing to do a 3-day 8 hour day shoot schedule.

4. How long did it take to complete? (writing/shooting/post-production?)

I went through about 7 drafts of the script, which spanned from about November of 2011 and finished about a month before shooting in March. The actual shoot was done over 3 days. We used 3 different cameras, and had loads of footage. I am quite keen on post-production so I spent many late nights stitching the film together. In total it was about 3 weeks to finish completely. There were 3 different versions made, and the final version being what is seen now.

5. Have you screened the film elsewhere or are you planning to?

The film was screened in London with Shortcutz and I have been selected to screen at the White Sands International Film Festival. I have applied to a wide gamut of festivals locally and abroad; hopefully there will be more screenings to come, but I really am fortunate to have anyone willing to show my work.

6. Is there anything else you'd like to add about the making of the film?

Mainly, it's that this short film would not have been possible without the hours and hours of pre-production spent and the help I received along the away. This was truly a collaborative project, and a huge thanks to every person in the credits; this film would not have been possible without them. And finally, a huge thanks to events like your own who give my film the chance to be seen by others. I tip my drink in your honour.

7. Anything you can tell us about your next projects?

I am currently writing my next short - another mockumentary focusing on a different minority. Very excited for this one. It should be ready next year, and I'll make sure to send a copy!

Ronnie Mackintosh - Plagium - Q&A

1. What was the inspiration for the film?

The absolute basic kernel of the idea came about when I took my own daughter (who was about five at the time) to the cinema one afternoon. I had to go to the toilet (the price you pay for those large coke and popcorn combos). I asked her to come with me but she was really into the film and wouldn't budge. I made her promise not to move. And I was mid-pee when I had a panic attack - God Almighty! How could I leave her alone in that dark cinema! When i got back, she was, of course, absolutely fine, but as she watched the rest of the film, I was thinking of a new short script.

This was my second collaboration with the very talented director, Brady Hood. When I sent a rough draft of the script to Brady, he was out in Germany working with director Joe Wright on the brilliant feature, Hanna. For those who haven't seen Hanna, it has a strong Grimm's Fairytale thread that runs through it, so when Brady read the script, about a missing child, it connected strongly with him. Brady's previous films had also dealt with loss and he wanted to come at that theme from a different angle; how far one might be willing to go to keep a hold of their loved ones.

2. Do you know how the film was cast such as securing Jason Flemyng? Did you have any say in the decisions?

Again, all down to Brady. Jason had a role in Hanna and in addition to being a superbly talented actor, Brady found him to be a delightful man. On set he asked him if he would play the part and Jason was very happy to do so. It's actually Jason's real wife, Elly Fairman, who plays his wife in the short, and so from Brady's director's point of view, they already had that strong connection which allowed him to concentrate on breaking that bond down. Mention must be made of Eva Burke who plays the child, Katie. She wasn't a trained actress but after auditions, Brady felt that her innocence and lack of learned bad habits would allow her to bring so much more to the role, and how right he was. Eva does an amazing job.

3. Did the production secure any funding or was it very low-budget? (you don't need to give specific numbers)

There was no funding from the official avenues and so Brady put some money in, as did a friend of his, Andrew Butler, but they were still struggling when Seth Lochhead, the writer of Hanna stepped up and provided the majority of the finance. Brady says, "I love that man!". Well I've never met Seth, but let me tell you, so do I! As is the case for the majority of short films, the crew worked very hard for nothing and each and every one of them did a magnificent job.

4. How long did it take to complete? (writing/shooting/post-production?)

From start to finish, (terrifying cinema pee to 'that's a wrap') about six months. Brady and I developed the script while he was out in Berlin and then when he returned it was full steam ahead. The shoot took place over six days on three weekends. Not the best circumstances for Brady as it breaks the momentum of cast and crew, but it was just the only way.

5. Has the film been screened elsewhere or are their any plans to?

We've only recently started to look at putting the film out and it's shown so far at the Landed Festival in Wales, the Edinburgh Short Film Festival and the Write, Shoot, Cut film night in Edinburgh.

6. Anything you can tell us about your next projects?At the end of last year I was very fortunate to get a place on the Network development programme and during that process, had the privilege of having producer, Ivana Mackinnon (Slumdog Millionaire, Eden Lake, The Descent Pt II, Centurion) as my mentor.With Ivana’s help I worked on a crime feature and that’s now one or two drafts away from a treatment that I’ll be satisfied with.

I’m also about to begin work on a new feature project with Brady and two
other feature projects: one with Edinburgh filmmaker, David Lumsden, and
another with Fife based actor/director John Yule (who directed a play I had on
at the Edinburgh Fringe last year). They are all very different and each is at
its own stage in initial development. I’ve also just finished a short that I’ve
written for Estonian producer, Eero Talvistu. I'm actually off to Tallin to see
Eero tonight which I why I can't make the Movie Bar night.

Thanks again to John, Nic and Ronnie for taking the time completing these Q&As for the MovieBar Blog and for agreeing to show their films on the night.

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

Thanks to everyone who came along to another cracking Moviebar! Here’s how it went down...

The Timeslip
Kicking things off was this surreal jaunt into another world from the Chance Brothers...

The Timeslip Trailer

Nick and Tara’s Sex Tape
Next we screened a double bill from director Richard Dunford, the first was Nick and Tara’s Sex Tape, a horror take on a sordid subject. Watch it over on Shooting People.

Fall to Grace
Richard’s second film was this grisly short featuring lovable puppets…

Fall to Grace Trailer

Richard came along to talk about making the first film as a way of getting to grips with his camera. The more ambitious Fall to Grace had its problems but Richard battled on to create his masterpiece.

Before You
Then we had a Cheyenne Jackson music video from director Nick Everhart with a old-fashioned monster movie feel...

The Bent Penny
Next up was an ambitious short from writer/director Darrel J Butlin about the journey of a penny through the troubled lives of strangely connected characters. Darrel came along to talk about securing funding for the short and shooting in and around Bristol. You can view the trailer for The Bent Penny at Darrel’s Eyebrid Blaze site.

It’s OK to be Ginger
Our penultimate film was this quirky mockumentary about an embittered TV presenter from director Nic Sanchez...

Plagium
We ended the evening with screenwriter Ronnie Mackintosh’s dark fairytale about a girl caught between her parent’s affections...

Scenes from Plagium

We look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday September 3rd at the Caroline of Brunswick.